Jaime A. Rodríguez off to fast start in shaping Edinburg economic development successes
Lori A. Garza of Edinburg and Lizza Marie Moya of Dallas, daughters of the late Edinburg Mayor Pro Tem Noé Garza on Tuesday, January 24, received a resolution from the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court in honor of their father, who passed away on Monday, January 9. The county leaders noted his many contributions for Edinburg residents, including helping in the development of Edinburg City Hall, the city’s water plant, and the upgrading and expansion of the city’s fire department, among many other achievements. Featured, from left: County Commissioner Héctor “Tito” Palacios; County Commissioner Joseph Palacios; Lori A. Garza; Lizza Marie Moya; County Judge Ramón García; and County Commissioner Joel Quintanilla. Earlier in January, the late mayor pro tem’s life and legacy were honored by the Edinburg City Council. See story later in this posting.
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Father Adán Sandoval, from Our Lady of the Mount in Cicero, Illinois, on Thursday, January 26, walked along the first phase of the planned $100 million Rio Grande Produce Park, one of Edinburg’s latest economic miracles, as he performed a benediction for the ultra-modern complex. The Catholic priest was accompanied by José Luis González, the developer of the Rio Grande Produce Park, for the ceremony. Up to 200 permanent employees are expected to be hired to manage and operate the first of nine planned facilities, an innovative structure that boasts about 160,000 square feet of cold storage capabilities designed to protect and extend the shelf-life of huge volumes of valuable Mexican produce destined for major markets in Texas and throughout the U.S. But plans call for Rio Grande Valley Produce Park, a private investment located on an 87-acre site near the intersection of FM 2812 and U.S. Expressway 281, to eventually reach 800 – and perhaps as many as 1,000 – new jobs over the next eight years. See story later in this posting.
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The Hidalgo County Elections Department recently deputized district clerk staff to serve as Deputy Registrars. As such, constituents can officially register to vote at the District Clerk Office, located on the first floor of the courthouse, without having to be redirected to the Elections Office across the street. “We are proud to be able to provide voter registration services for individuals visiting the courthouse, while contributing to the overall voter registration efforts in Hidalgo County,” said Laura Hinojosa, Hidalgo County District Clerk. “We look forward to providing this service during this year’s election process and beyond.” The Elections Office conducted a training for district clerk staff to become familiar with the instructions and guidelines required to perform the duties of a Volunteer Deputy Registrar. The Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas (AACT), a non-profit organization established to cultivate voter empowerment, was also on hand to provide education on the importance of voting and the electoral process. “I encourage the citizens of Hidalgo County to register and then vote. Voting is pertinent, as this gives our county a strong voice. Do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns,” said Yvonne Ramón, Hidalgo County Elections Administrator. For more information regarding how to become a Volunteer Voter Registrar and other voter information, logon to http://www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/elections. Voter information is also available at http://www.aactnow.org. Featured, from left, front row: Yanira Hernández, Mónica Valdéz, Sandra Garza, Melinda De La Garza, and Andrëa Guajardo. Back row, from left: Omar Escamilla and Alfonso Fuentes.
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Leadership Edinburg is a program designed by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce to allow the class members to interact with one another and members of the community to help shape a better Edinburg. The nine month program is structured to allow class members better understand the problems and opportunities faced by their hometown, and to help fellow citizens through strong leadership skills that focus on politics, education, and improving the quality of life. Leadership Edinburg Class XXIII, featured here, is in the process of fundraising to complete several projects that include assisting the Edinburg Police Department with construction of a training shoot house, granting scholarships to Edinburg students, renovating portions of the exterior of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce building, and helping fund the development of a city park for disabled children. Featured, from left: Jason De León; Samuel Trejo; SJ Sethi; Martín Rivas; Criselda Ordóñez; Brenda Almaguer; Felicia Monique Villarreal; Sandra Quintanilla Guzmán; Aaron I. Vela; and Marissa Castañeda. See story later in this posting.
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Claudia Berenice Garza, whose many paintings and murals have been commissioned by public and private interests throughout the Valley, will be the featured artist on Friday, February 10, during the monthly Jardín del Arte (Garden of Art) set for the Courtyard at Edinburg City Hall. The event, which will include musical entertainment, is free and open to the public. Jardín del Arte will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Residents who attend will be able to purchase art work and buy food and beverages from participating Edinburg restaurants – La Pesca, Panini Café & Deli, El Jinete and Coffee Zone – which will be showcasing their products at the gathering. Kim Snyder will be providing the musical entertainment for the evening, and Dancer’s Creative Motion will have a special dance performance. As part of the community’s strategy to incorporate the local arts community into economic development goals, Jardín del Arte was created in 2011 in order to feature the fine arts talent in the three-time All-America City. See story later in this posting.
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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, January 26, welcomed Jeanette García, featured center, a local archivist and librarian, for a book signing ceremony promoting the sale of Images of America – Edinburg, which is part of Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America Series. The book includes more than 200 vintage images and memories of the days gone by. García, an archivist and librarian at the University of Texas-Pan American, collected photographs and stories from the University of Texas-Pan American Library Archives and Special Collections, the Museum of South Texas History, and other individuals for the book. It may be purchased at the following locations: the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Walgreens (Edinburg locations); Mission Historical Museum; Ochoa’s Pharmacy; Museum of South Texas History; Coffee Zone; Mailbox Depot; Garza Pharmacy; and Barnes and Noble in McAllen or online at http://www.BN.com. Featured, from left: Imelda Rodríguez, tourism director for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; author Jeanette García; and Letty González, president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.
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For its efforts to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, pressure ulcers and health care-acquired infections, South Texas Health System (STHS), based in Edinburg, has been honored with the Texas Hospital Association’s 2011 Bill Aston Award for Quality in the Non-Research, Non-Teaching Hospital category. Established in 2010, the award recognizes a hospital’s measurable success in improving quality and patient outcomes through the sustained implementation of a national and/or state evidence-based patient care initiative. Gloria Vela, South Texas Health System’s director of education, and Joanne Shannon, system infection prevention coordinator, accepted the award on Thursday, February 2 at the THA Annual Conference and Expo in Austin. Featured, from left: Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, president/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association ; Gloria Vela, RN, MSN, System Director of Education/Employee Health, South Texas Hospital System; Joanne Shannon, RN, System Infection Prevention Coordinator, STHS; Michael La Coste, FACHE, MHA, MBA, Associate Administrator for Edinburg Children’s Hospital, Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Edinburg Regional Rehab Center; and Tim Lancaster, FACHE, president/CEO of Hendrick Health System in Abilene and 2012 Texas Hospital Association chairman. See story later in this posting.
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The final results are in for the winners of the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Medical Awards for 2012”, who were publicly recognized on Thursday, January 26, during a dinner held at the Club at Cimaron in Mission. Since the medical community plays a major role in the Valley, both professionally and economically, the RGV Hispanic Chamber honored the top professionals in their particular fields, who were nominated by the general public. Featured, seated, from left, are: Dr. Khaimchand Panday, Specialty Doctor; Dr. Jorge A. Treviño, General Physician; and Shelley Bryant, Nurse Practitioner. Middle row, from left: Joe B. Riley, CEO of South Texas Health Systems; Mario Garza, Nurse; Gloria Jiménez, Volunteer; Lisa Longoria, Physician Assistant; and Hari Namboodiri, Nursing Home of the Year. Back row, from left: Ryan Jensen, Associate Administrator of McAllen Medical Center; and Jennifer Garza, CEO of Edinburg Children’s Hospital/Edinburg Regional Hospital. See story later in this posting.
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Mitch Roberts, named last fall as Man of the Year by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, carries his family name as a badge of honor. Born into a prominent local family, the longtime business leader and community advocate could have taken his University of Texas at Austin pedigree and set up shop in any number of major cities nationwide. Instead, he came back from UT Austin to Edinburg as fast as he could, willing to live up to the high expectations and record of public service built over several generations of his family. Last October, for their respective records of giving back to their community, Roberts and Elva Jackson Garza (see story on Jackson in the December 16, 2011 edition of http://www.EdinburgPolitics.com) were honored as Man of the Year and Woman of the Year by the local chamber of commerce. See story on Roberts later in this posting.
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Bert Ogden, Fiesta Chevrolet and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to sponsor the annual Fiesta Edinburg 2012, which will run from Thursday, February 23, through Sunday, February 26, at Edinburg Municipal Park. Top-quality entertainment will be featured during Fiesta Edinburg 2012, including I Love, Mayberry, Grupo Avizo, David Marez and Joe Bravo on Friday, February 24. On Saturday, February 25, more musical performers will take the stage, including Jeremiah, Dance Gavin Dance, Jaime y Los Chamacos, and Ricardo Castillón y La Diferencia. In addition to its traditional parade, which will be held on Saturday morning, February 25, Fiesta Edinburg 2012 will feature the Heart of America Carnival, Family Fun Zone, and a Bike Show. There are admission fees to most aspects of Fiesta Edinburg 2012, including parking fees. However, the popular Fiesta Edinburg parade is free. Featured receiving a $10,000 sponsorship from the Bert Ogden Auto Group are, seated from left: Robert Lucio with Bert Ogden Edinburg Area GM; Janet Vackar and Robert C. Vackar, owners of Bert Ogden Auto Group; and Edna Peña, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Standing from left are Letty González, president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Cris Torres, member, Board of Directors, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Dalia Arce, member, Fiesta Edinburg Committee; and Marty Martin, Maggie Kent, and Alex Ríos, members, Board of Directors, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. See story later in this posting.
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Dr. René Gutiérrez, superintendent for the Edinburg school district, on Tuesday, January 24, addressed the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and secured an interlocal agreement between Hidalgo County Precinct 4, led by Commissioner Joseph Palacios, and the Edinburg school district to provide for the construction of a protective barrier around Carmen Ávila Elementary and Harwell Middle Schools. This action proposes a solution to an issue that was widely publicized late last year in which two middle school students were injured after being hit by stray bullets from a nearby ranch. Through the agreement, Precinct 4 shall donate dirt to help construct protective barriers to surround the school. The school district shall pay the county for materials, equipment and personnal costs for construction of the protective barrier. Gutiérrez hopes the joint program will decrease the possibility of any future occurrences and help to ease some of the concerns for safety and security of students at the schools.
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As a business owner and real estate developer, Jaime A. Rodríguez, 47, has built a deserved reputation over 20 years as a positive force in Edinburg, currently serving as president and CEO of several outstanding firms that provide employment for more than 250 people in Hidalgo County. Those accomplishments in the private sector – plus his willingness to share his time and business expertise on behalf of a much larger constituency – in late November earned him a coveted spot on the five-member governing board of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation – the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council. “There are many projects that are coming down the pipeline,” he said. “The citizens of Edinburg are going to be very pleasantly surprised with all the good news coming to our city.” See lead story in this posting.
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